Door latch



Feb. 14, 1950 D. c. SMITH ET-AL 2,497,328

7 DOOR LATCH Filed March 25, 1946 INVENTORS David 0. Smil'h/ gylenyfdlinyer ATTORNEY iatented Feb. 14, 1950 DOOR LATCH David C. Smith and Leroy I. Oblinger, Toledo, Ohio, assignors of thirty per cent to E. W. Sauers and thirty per cent to A. E. Giesey, both of Cleveland, Ohio Application March 25, 1946, Serial No. 656,920

11 Claims.

This invention relates to locking devices and particularly to a door latch selectively rendered operative or inoperative in response to stem adjustments efiecting the engagement or disengagement of an operating handle.

An object of this invention is to produce a door latch having inside and outside handles, the outside handle of which can be rendered ineffective to'retract the latch either by manipulation of a part on the inside or outside while the door is in closed position.

Another object is to produce a door latch having inside and outside handles, the outside handle of which can be rendered ineffective for latch retraction from either the inside or outside, while the door is closed and can again be rendered effective only from the outside, such as by key operation. 7

A further object is to produce a door latch mechanism which may be secured against outside operation by the shifting of a sectional shaft, which may be readily effected from one side or the other of the door while it is in the closed position, subsequent operation from the outside of the door being dependent on the return of the shaft in response to key operation.

A still further object is to produce a new and improved door latch which is rendered inoperable in response to outside operation by translatory shifting movement of one or another telescoping shaft operatively connected to the door handles respectively.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear, and for purposes of illustration but not of limitation, an embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a perspective view of a fragment of a door in which a latch mechanism is installed;

Figure 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the latching device which constitutes a part of the door handle and showing the elements in unlocked position;

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the latch mechanism on the line 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a sectional view similar to Figure 2 showing the elements in the locked position in response to shifting movement of the locking cylinder from the outside of the door, the latch bolt and associated parts being omitted;

Figure 5 is a sectional view similar to Figure 2 showing the elements in the locked position in response to actuation of the parts from the inside of the door, the latch bolt and associated parts being omitted; and

Figure 6 is an enlarged perspective fragmentary view of the coupling parts.

The illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises a door frame Ill having an aperture I I therein for the receipt of a sleeve I2 forming an integral part of a keeper plate I3, which is amortized into the door frame.

A latch bolt I4 movable into or out of the sleeve I2 is sliclably mounted in an elongate sleeve or latch slide I5 disposed in an axially aligned aperture I6 in a swinging door ll. The latch bolt I 4 is arranged to be retracted into the latch slide I5 against the normal pressure of a coil spring I8 by a latch arm I9 of smaller diameter and extending axially inward through the aperture I 6. An apertured annular flange 20 integral with the inner end portion of the latch slide I5 provides a guide for the latch arm as well as a seat for one end of the coil spring I8, the other end bearing against the shoulder 2I formed between the latch arm and the latch bolt.

The latch bolt is retracted by a U-shaped connecting link 22 having an arm '23 transverse of the latch bolt I4 and apertured for receipt of the end portion of the latch arm to which it is securely attached. The other arm 24 of the link 22 is centrally slotted at 25 for the passage therethrough ofwan operating spindle 26 extending transversely through the door I l and perpendicular to the arm 24 and the latch bolt I I. A yoke provided by a pair of flanges 21 extending outwardly from the ends of the arm 24 engages a pair of spaced lugs 28 attached to a collar 29 which is T-shaped in longitudinal section, and is operatively connected to the spindle '26.

The spindle 26, preferably circular in cross section, is shiftable axially between two positions of adjustment in relation to the collar 29, which is apertured at 30 to provide a bearing support for the spindle. A keyway 3| in the peripher of the spindle is engaged by a set screw or key 32 passing through the hub portion 33 of the collar 29, thereby enabling the spindle to be shifted 1ongitudinally to one or the other position of adjustment in relation to the collar, but militating against relative rotational movements.

The collar 29 is positioned relative to the door I! by an escutcheon plate 34 which is apertured at 35 to receive the hub portion 33 of the collar and having an annular flange 36 of larger diameter disposed between the collar and the inner edge portion of a cylindrical frame plate 31 which lines the aperture 38 extending transversely through the door.

An outwardly extending flange 39 integral with the escutcheon plate abuts the inner edge of a hub Ml forming a part of the inner door knob which is securely attached to collar means of a set screw The knob is co trally apertured for the receipt of a cylindrical head member 53 and part of the integral spindle which is slidable longitudinally therethrough.

Normally, the cylindrical head member is in the position of adjustment whereby its outer end projects oeyond the knob ti and is urged into that position by a spring it having one end bearing against the collar 2%, the other end seating in a socket i0 filed in the cylindrical head member Movement of cyliz ical head in the direction to the right 0; Figure 5 further tensions the coil spring and enables a spring-tensioned detent to enter a notch in the cylindrical head eilectively to oppose the force of the tensioned spring, operating to return the cylindrical head to its normal extended position. The rt lli is tensioi by a coil spring 46 disposed be screw it engaging knob li. manifestly", the application of forces in addition to that or the coil spring is r quired to disengage the detent from the groove 45a enabling the coil spring further to shift the cylindrical head to the normal eaten position.

From the description, it is evident that rotational movement of the inside knob ll in either direction will be directly transmitted to collar 29 and rocks oneor the other of the lugs thereby to retract the connecting link 22, and the latch bolt. The coil spring operates to return the latch bolt to the normal engaged position upon release of the knob ii.

A coupling part in the form of an enlarged cylindrical sleeve Ell fixed as by threaded engagement to the outer end of the spindle has a central cylindrical cavity and a contiguous concentric aperture naller diameter forming a thicker wall portion Four radially disposed, equidistantly arrang d slots are in the thicker wall portion and are open at their inner ends to receive coupling lugs which are integral with reject radially from the end of a spindle when the lugs are positioned in the slots t l, they are adapted to the side walls thereof so that the spindles 58 rotate as a unit. The length of the lugs i1 is so chosen that relative axial shifting movement between the sleeve to and the lugs, enables the lugs to extend into the cavity Si in which they can freely rotate. In such position of the coupling parts, turning of the spindle 26 will be alone effective to retract the latch bolt.

Secured to the outer end of the spindle is a key-operated cylindrical loci; unit 3 siidable longitudinally in an elongate bore which e tends through a knob and its integral hub Since cylindrical loci: units of this type are wellknown to those skilled in the art, detail descri tion thereof considered unnecessary. it to say that a spring-tensioned bolt ti no u cuntersunlr from the bore engages in a groove 58, and is retracted to position flush W1 bore upon operation or a izcy :33. aligned keyway on the periphery of relative rotational movements.

A coil spring disposed about the spindle has one, end bearing against the base of the cylindrical lock unit 5? and the other end abutting the 8.3L closing end S; of a flanged retaining sleeve in; disposed about the telescoped couarts. The sleeve 63 is secured to the knob y ans of a set screw. An outside escutcheon plate *3" seats between the end of the hub 59 and a shoulder formed in the sleeve positioning the attached elements in the door. An annular ring ll disposed between the escutcheon plate 6%, sleeve the frame plate 3?, militates against s'ni ng of th elements from the assembled position.

An important feature of the invention resides in the means of disengaging the spindle from the spindle to which the latch bolt is operably connected. Thus, in the disengaged position, the outer knob may be freely rotated without actuating the latch bolt until engagement is reestablished in a manner to be described.

Normally, the elements described are disposed rustrated in Figure 2 ofthe dra gs. Each the spindles is disposed .in its normal outardly extended position as urged by their reive coil springs, such that the cylindrical members project a short distance beyond .espective knob. In the normal position, the ecu ling lugs so on the outer spindle are en by the slotted sleeve 58 transmitting the ational movements of one knob to rotational Jeinents of the other. Thus, the latch bolt be retracted in response to the actuation of either door knob.

When it is desired to lock the door from the inside, the cylindrical head 33 is depressed until the detent engages the notch tensioning the coil spring 2%, and causing the lugs on the other spindle 56 to be disposed with the cavity i, as illustrated in Figure 5. In this position, he latch bolt is still operable in response to the oi -the inner knob ll, but not in response to the outer knob because rotational movement thereof merely turns the projections 55 freely within the cavity The engagement between the tensioned detent in the notch 45a inilitates against the return axial movement of the spindle is as a result of vibrations or the like, such that the door can not accid ntally be opened from the outside. In addition, observation as to whether or not the door is locked is readily made without opening the door, in view of the position of the cylindrical-head within the knob ll.

When it is desired to lock the door from the utside, the cylindrical lock unit 53' is depressed until the lock bolt 6i snaps into the groove at which time the coupling lugs 55 are shifts from engagement with the slots in the sleeve into the cylindrical cavity 55 in which it is freely rotatable. Thus, the outer knob maybe freely rotated without actuation of the spindle which is operably connected to the latch bolt Figure l of the drawings illustrates the position of the elements wh n locked against outside operation by depression of the lock unit .57.

It is manifest that engagement betwcer the tained when the door is locked from the outside, as illustrated in Figure 4. For this purpose, the operator, manually depresses the cylindrical lock unit 51, the force transmitted through the abutting spindles 26 and 56 in combination with the force of the tensioned coil spring 44, effecting the withdrawal of the rounded detent 45 from the notch 45a, enabling both spindles to be shifted in the inward direction until the lock bolt 6| enters the notch 62. In this position, the coupling lugs 55 are still freely rotatable in the cavity 5|, the outside knob 59 still being ineffective for latch bolt operation.

Retraction of the cylindrical lock unit 51 is not effected until the lock bolt 6| is withdrawn from the notch 62 in response to key operation. However, when withdrawn, the cylindrical lock unit and the attached spindle 56 are shifted axially outwardly by the tensioned coil spring 56, the spindle 26 remaining in its normal extended position in view of the force exerted by the spring 44. Thus the lugs 55 are retracted from the cavity 5| and into engagement with the slots in the sleeve 50. Not infrequently, retraction of the lugs is barred by the walls of the sleeve 53 but slight rotational movement of the outside knob 553 moves the lugs into registry with the slots 54 enabling the spindle 56 to be retracted.

. Manifestly, we have produced a door latch locking device based upon the engagement or disengagement of telescoping spindles respectively connected to the inside and outside door handles, which spindles are axially shiftable between two positions of adjustment. Lugs are provided on the end of one spindle to engage slots in the other spindle when in the normal position of adjustment providing a driving connection causing the spindles to rotate together for latch operation by either door handle. However, when either spindle is axially shifted to the other position of adjustment, the coupling members are disengaged, enabling the spindles to rotate independently of each other, thus to lock the door against latch operation in response to the actuation of one of the handles.

An important feature of this invention resides in the simplicity of construction and operation and the relatively few parts required to attain the beneficial results. In view of the above, an economical, durable and easily installed locking device is produced.

It is to. be understood that the door latch locking device comprising this invention is not restricted to the use with residential doors but may be readily adapted for use with vehicle doors or the like. Other changes in details of construction, arrangement and operation may be effected without departing from the spirit of the invention especially as defined in the appended claims.

What we claim is:

1. A door latch comprising inside and outside door handles, a pair of aligned independently axially shiftable spindles connected to said handles respectively, each of said spindles being shiftable between two positions of adjustment, a latch bolt, means for retracting the latch bolt in response to turning movement of one of the spindles, means coupling said spindles when continuously urging each spindle toward the coupled position of axial adjustment.

2. A door latch as claimed in claim 1, in which the means urging the spindles toward the coupled position comprises coil springs.

3. A door latch comprising inside and outside door handles, a. pair of aligned independently axially shiftable spindles connected to said handles respectively, each of said spindles being shiftable between two positions of adjustment, a latch bolt, means for retracting the latch bolt in response to turning movement of one of the spindles, means coupling said spindles when axially shifted to one of the positions of adjustment causing said spindles to rotate together for effecting retraction of said latch bolt, said last means being rendered ineifective when either of said spindles is axially shifted to the other position of adjustment enabling said spindles to be rotated independently of each other, spring means continuously urging each spindle toward the coupled position of axial adjustment, and releasable means holding said spindles in the other position of adjustment.

l. A door latch comprising inside and outside operating handles, a pair of aligned independently axially shiftable spindles connected to said handles respectively, said spindles being shiftable axially between two positions of adjustment, a latch bolt, means for retracting the latch bolt in response to the turning movement of the spindle connected to the inside handle, telescoping end portions on said spindles providing a driving connection between said spindles when in the normal position of adjustment causing said spindles to rotate together for effecting retraction of said latch bolt in response to the actuation of either operating handle, said telescoping spindles being freely rotatable independently of each other when either is shifted axially to the other position of adjustment militating against the operation of said latch bolt in response to the actuation of the outside handle, spring means urging said spindles toward the normal position of axial adjustment, and means releasably holding said spindles in the other positions of adjustment.

5. A door latch comprising inner and outer operating handles, a pair of aligned independently axially shiftable spindles connected to said handles respectively and shiftable between two positions of axial adjustment, a latch bolt, means for retracting the latch bolt in response to turning movement of one of said spindles, contiguous concentric apertures of large and small diameter in the end of one spindle providing adjacent sleeves of thin and thick walls respectively, axial slots through the sleeve having the greater wall thickness, and radially extending projections on the end of the other spindle arranged to engage the slots in said slotted sleeve when the spindles are in their normal axially adjusted positions causing the spindles to rotate together for effecting retraction of the latch bolt, said projections being disengaged from said slotted sleeve when either of said spindles is axially shifted to the other position of adjustment enabling said spindles to rotate independently of each other.

6. A door latch comprising inner and outer operating handles, a pair of aligned independently axially shiftable spindles connected to said handles respectively and shiftable between two positions of axial adjustment, a latch bolt, means for retracting the latch bolt in response to turning movement of one of said spindles, contiguous :cohcentrieapertnres oi largeand small diameter in the end of one spindle pro *iding adjacent sleeves of thin and thick Walls pectively, axial slots through the sleeve having the greater wall thickness, and radially extending projec ins the end of the other spindle arranged to engage the slots in said slotted sleeve when the spindles are in their normal axially adjusted positions causing the spindles to rotate together for effecting retraction of the latch noit, said projections being of a size enabling sliding movement thereof into the sleeve having the thinner wall thickness andin whic the are ireely re Cole, said projections being s; axially into said latter sleeve upon ax al movement of either spindle t the other pcsi one oi adjust: t enabling said spindles to be rotated oendently oi each other.

7. A door latch as claimed in claim 6, in which the sleeve the greater Wall thickness is disposed the cf t2. spindle.

8. A door ch in. c aim in which elongate grooves in the periphery of the spindles are engageabie projections connected to the operating handle enai: g long'n" dinai sh g movement of the spindlm reiatiol to the l n dles out iniiitating against relative rotational movements.

9. In a door lateh, a pair oi aligned spindles axially shiftaole independently between two positions of adjustment, coupling means on the adjacent ends of said spindles causing to rotate together wh n axially c position of adjustment, said co ing rendered ineffective when either .dles is axially shifted to the other ticn of justment enablin said spindles to rotate independently of each other, and. a swing associated with each spindle constantly urging toward said first position of adjustment.

10. In a door latch, a pair of aligned snindles axially shiitable independently between two positions of adjustment, means coupling said spinr clsaid Hist; posit being renderedineiiective when either or" said miles is axiailv shifted to the other position of l ,ient enabling said spi dles to rotate inde'oenoentiy of each other, spring means for causrelative movement of said spindles toward of adjustment, and catch mechanism releaseaoly holding said spindles in said other position of adjustment.

ii. in a door latch, 2. pair of aligned spindles each being axially shiitahle between two positions of adjustment, inner and. outer operating handles connected to respective ends of said spindies, ineansiccnpling said spindles causing same to rotate toget when axially shifted to one position of adjustment and enabling said spindles to rotate independently when either is shifted liy to its o"her position of adjustment, means eonsta: each of 5 id snind ls toward tion of adjustment, catch mechated with each spindle for releasein the other position of adc bolt operating means responsive icv'einent of one spindle, and isin for rendering the catch the other spindle ineffecurging means to impart shiftem to the latter.

DAVID C. SMITH. LEROY I. OBLINGER.

rlunioei Name Date 689,869 Keenan Dec. 24, 1901 981,699 McL-ain et al Jan. 10, 1911 1,71%, 85 Waldo May 21, 1929 

